SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — Gerald Rose, the president of the New Order National Human Rights Organization, is upset and demanding a retrial for the three former Washington County deputies accused of murdering Eurie Martin.
Martin was tased and died on a country road in Washington County in July 2017. Deputies Henry Lee Copeland, Michael Howell and Rhett Scott were fired and later charged with his murder.
Judge H. Gibbs Flanders declared a mistrial after jurors said they were deadlocked on a verdict. Now, it’s unclear if the case will go to trial again.
Rose said Thursday the Martin family is very disappointed in the district attorney’s lack of communication after the trial.
"The DA is supposed to be on our side, you know what I mean? Working for the family. Why would they NOT pick up the phone and call up the family and say this is what's going on? They have not done that as of today. We're just hearing that the case has been turned over to someone else, but they aren't telling the family that. Why is that," said Rose.
He says the Martin family asked for his help.
“This thing has been delayed too long and when they said mistrial, I said it's just another delay, another excuse. These people are free, but you know the Eurie family is crying every day. They said, ‘Mr. Rose, we need your help.’ So, I am trying to help, but you know, I can't do it by myself,” said Rose.
13WMAZ reached out to Middle Circuit District Attorney Tripp Fitzner several times since October, but he has not returned our phone calls.